A fetus of at least 20 weeks gestation, or of a birth weight of at least 350 grams if the gestational age is unknown, that is born without signs of life at the time of delivery, and with an Apgar score of zero at both one and five minutes
Symptoms of Stillbirth
The following features are indicative of Stillbirth:
bleeding from vagina
mild to severe abdominal cramps
dizziness
high fever
no fetal movements
no detected heartbeat of fetus
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Common Causes of Stillbirth
The following are the most common causes of Stillbirth:
problems with placenta
genetic problems with the fetus
birth defects
pregnancy complications
Other Causes of Stillbirth
The following are the less common causes of Stillbirth:
fetal infections
physical problems in the fetus
infections such as malaria and syphilis
poor health in the mother
obesity
high blood pressure
diabetes
Risk Factors for Stillbirth
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Stillbirth:
mother's age over 35
smoking
use of assisted reproductive technology
first pregnancy
pulmonary hypoplasia
placental abruptions
celiac disease
growth retardation
Prevention of Stillbirth
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Stillbirth. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
regular prenatal care
avoid smoking
avoid drinking alcohol
avoid taking illicit drugs
take a daily multivitamin
limit caffeine intake
Occurrence of Stillbirth
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Stillbirth cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Stillbirth most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 35-50 years
Common Gender
Stillbirth most commonly occurs in the following gender:
Female
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Stillbirth
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Stillbirth:
Blood test: To check the level of the pregnancy hormone
Nonstress test: To check baby's movement, heartbeat and contractions
Electronic fetal monitoring: To detect fetal distress
Complications of Stillbirth if untreated
Yes, Stillbirth causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Stillbirth is left untreated:
lower abdominal tenderness
foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Procedures for Treatment of Stillbirth
The following procedures are used to treat Stillbirth:
Dilation and curettage: Minor surgical procedure to remove the remains of pregnancy
Surgery: To expel the pregnancy tissue and placenta
Self-care for Stillbirth
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Stillbirth:
Intake of dietary multivitamin: Vitamin enriched diet is important in prevention of stillbirth
Regular prenatal care: To treat and prevent potential health problems
practice good hygiene conditions
proper washing of raw vegetables
use mineralized bottled water
Patient Support for Treatment of Stillbirth
The following actions may help Stillbirth patients:
Join online support groups: Interact with people who are facing the problems related to stillbirth
Family support: Provides support and education to patient
Is Stillbirth Infectious?
Yes, Stillbirth is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
spreads by bacteria such as Mycoplasma hominis, E coli, group B Streptococcus through direct fetal infection, placental damage and severe maternal illness
